1000 Friends of Oregon names new director

Jason Miner, who cut his environmental activist teeth on legislation that helped protect Steens Mountain, has been chosen as the new executive director of 1000 Friends of Oregon, the state's best known conservation group.

Miner, who most recently worked for The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts, becomes the fourth director in 1000 Friends' 35-year history. He replaces Bob Stacey, who resigned last fall to run for Metro Council president.

Although he doesn't officially begin work until May, Miner will make his first appearance Saturday night at the organization's annual Tom McCall Legacy Dinner. 1000 Friends was founded by the former governor and Henry Richmond, an attorney who became its first director. Richmond was succeeded by Robert Liberty, now a Metro councilor, and then by Stacey.

Miner, 39, was enroute to Oregon Friday and unavailable for comment.

1000 Friends has engaged in a lengthy search for a new director. Elisabeth Lyon, chair of the group's board of directors, said in a news release that Miner's background in land-use law and environmental management will be an asset to the organization.

Miner worked eight years in Oregon before going to Massachusetts. He was the Conservation Director for Oregon Trout and worked on the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act. He served on the Steens Mountain Advisory Council from 2001 to 2005.

In a news release, Miner called 1000 Friends "one of the pre-eminent land-use organizations in the nation" and said he was honored to lead it. He said the state's land-use planning system is "crucial to building a sustainable economy that will provide jobs, create more livable communities and protect the landscape that all Oregonians love."

Miner and his wife, Tara Rae Miner, a native Oregonian, have a 10-month-old daughter. Tara Miner worked five years as managing editor of Orion Magazine.--Eric Mortenson